Caution is byword as preseason football practices get under way

August 08, 2001|By MIKE DUNN

The death of Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Korey Stringer due to heatstroke, in addition to two other heat-related deaths of young football athletes in the college and Arena League ranks in the past week, have prep coaches like Bragg even more wary than usual of overextending the troops in the hot sun.

For Bragg, the untimely deaths just underscore something he was already mindful of.

"As a group (of coaches), we work really hard to be conscientous about practicing in the heat," Bragg said. "We encourage the kids to tell us if they feel dizzy or they need water. And we have plenty of water breaks built into the practice schedule."

Bragg said it's important for those in authority, no matter what the sport is, to take a "common sense approach."

Bragg talks frequently to his athletes about the importance of drinking a lot of fluids. Like many other programs, the team practices in the evening to avoid having players working out in pads during the hottest time of the day.

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Bragg noted that there are also mental aspects that come into play.

"Sometimes kids don't know their limitations, and they have to be told when it's time to take a break," the veteran coach said. "And other times, kids are afraid to say when they're hot because they're afraid of being labeled as weak or not tough.

"We never second-guess a kid who says he needs water or needs a rest because it's too hot. And we never put anybody down."

Common sense and discretion, Bragg believes, can go a long way in preventing heat-related mishaps.